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| Friday, February 4, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
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HAU
launches welfare schemes
Telephone muddle in Sirsa |
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Rebel candidates pose problems HISAR, Feb 3 — Alarm bells have started ringing in all political parties, including the INLD, the BJP, and the Congress as rebel candidates have started filing their nomination papers as Independent candidates. It's feared that this will have a negative impact on the prospects of official candidates. Mr Hari Singh Saini, an influential Congress leader and a former minister, filed his nomination papers form the Hisar Assembly segment as an Independent candidate. Mr Saini who was expecting to get a Congress ticket was denied the same. The party allotted the ticket to the industrialist-turned-politician, Mr Om Prakash Jindal, instead. Mr Jindal had joined the Congress a few months before the Lok Sabha elections, which he contested unsuccessfully from Kurukshetra. Independent candidates are posing problems to the INLD and the BJP also which are alliance partners in the elections. For both parties it has become difficult to convince their aspirants not to contest independently. In Mandi Adampur, which has been allotted to the BJP in the seat-sharing arrangement, Mr Bir Singh Dalal filed his nomination papers as an Independent candidate. From Adampur, Mr Rajesh Godara has also filed his papers, but only as a "likely" candidate. After the seat went to the BJP, his nomination stood withdrawn. In Ratia also, a BJP leader, Mr Mahavir Prasad, filed his nomination papers as the party's candidate. The seat has been allotted to the INLD, which had fielded Mr Jarnail Singh from here. On the other hand, a former INLD legislator, Mr Atma Singh Gill, has also decided to contest as an Independent candidate from here. Mr Mani Ram Godara, former Home Minister, who joined the INLD recently, has also reportedly expressed his resentment over the denial of ticket to him from Bhattu and Fatehabad. He had reportedly been offered the Mandi Adampur seat, which he declined to contest. He had expressed his inability to contest from there given his advanced age. INLD workers in Barwala
also have not liked the party supremo's decision to field
Ms Promilla Barwala, wife of the Hisar MP, Mr Surinder
Singh Barwala. Mr Relu Ram Punia, who represented Barwala
as an Independent candidate in the dissolved House, is
likely to contest again as an Independent. Mr Punia had
been supporting Mr Chautala's government and was
expecting the party ticket. |
41 file nominations on last day AMBALA, Feb 3 — Seventy candidates have filed their nomination papers for the five constituencies in Ambala district. On the last day of nominations today, 41 candidates filed their nomination papers. A senior leader of the BJP and former MLA, Master Shiv Prashad, filed two sets of nomination papers today — one as a party candidate and the other as an Independent candidate — for Ambala City constituency. The official candidate of the BJP from this constituency — Mrs Veena Chibbar also filed her nomination papers today. A former Deputy Speaker of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Mr Faquir Chand Aggarwal, President of the local BJP unit, Mr Subhash Aggarwal, several municipal councillors and leaders of the local INLD unit accompanied her. Others who filed their nomination papers include Mr Pritam Singh (Independent), Mr Brij Lal (Independent), Mr Amarjit Singh (Independent), Mr Surjit Singh (HVP), Mr Tajinder Singh (HVP covering), Mr Shanti Dass (BJP) and Mr Satish Jain (Congress covering). Six candidates filed their papers for Mulana constituency today. Mr Rasal Singh filed his nomination papers as INLD candidate and Mr Rajbir Singh as covering candidate. Ms Kusum Lata (BSP), Mr Suresh Pal (Independent), Mr Krishan Chand (RPI) and Ms Jaswinder Kaur (HVP), also filed their nomination papers today. The Congress candidate, Ms Sudarshana Dua and Mr Ashok Dua as covering candidate filed their nomination papers for Ambala cantonment constituency along with senior leaders of local Congress. Others who filed their papers today were Mr Pardip Chauhan (Independent), Mr Shiv Charan (Shiv Sena-Thakre) and Ms Pinki Verma (BSP). The maximum candidates who filed their nominations today were for Naggal constituency, Mr Jasbir Malout of INLD filed his nomination papers today. The Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, accompanied him. Earlier, a rally was organised in New Anaj Mandi by the Naggal and Mulana INLD units. Addressing the rally, Mr Chautala called it the biggest rally of the constituency. Others who filed the nomination papers were Mr Yashpal Rana (Independent), Mr Jasbir Singh (Independent), Mr Arjun Dass (BSP), Mr Tek Chand (Independent), Mr Bhupinder Singh (BSP), Mr Krishan Lal (Independent), Mr Ishar Singh (Independent), Mr Nirmal Singh (Independent), Mr Karmvir (covering candidate of INLD), Mr Balbir Singh (Independent), Mr Kuldip Singh (HVP), Mr Rajinder Singh (Independent) and Mr Baljit Singh (HVP covering candidate). Candidates filed their
nomination papers for Naraingarh constituency today
included Mr Ravinder Singh (NCP), Mr Pawan Kumar
(Independent), Mr Pawan Kumar (INLD), Mr Lal Singh (INC),
Mr Gulab Singh (Independent) and Mr Varinder Singh
(Congress covering candidate). |
16 file papers PANCHKULA, Feb 3 — A total of 16 candidates filed their nomination papers with the Returning Officer, Mr Shubh Ram Vashisth, for the Kalka assembly seat in three days set aside for the purpose. These comprise 10 Independents and six candidates of national parties. Those who have filed their papers include, Mr Chander Mohan (Congress I), Mr Sham Lal Bansal (BJP-INLD), Mr Hans Raj Swan (BJP-INLD), Mr K.P. Singh (HVP), Mr Jagdeep Chaudhary (BSP) Mr Phag Mal (JD Secular), Mr Jagdish Chand (Ajay Bharat), Mr Bal Krishan Sarwan, Mr Sadhu Singh, Mr Jagdish Chand, Mr Davinder Singh, Mr Prithvi Singh Ravish and Mr Satbir Singh. Besides these, two
people by the name of Mr Sham Lal and one person named Mr
Chander Mohan also filed his papers as Independent
candidates with the Returning Officer. |
HAU launches welfare schemes HISAR, Feb 3 — CCS Haryana Agricultural University has launched series of programmes, including welfare schemes for farmers, university students and their parents, on the occasion of the 31st Foundation Day of the university. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Mr Vinay Kumar, said the university would adopt at least three villages in each district of the state and these would be developed as model villages in the use of latest farm technology. Specialised short-term courses would also be launched to enable the farmers to update their knowledge and skills. Mr Vinay Kumar announced that an insurance scheme for university students and their parents had also been launched. The Vice-Chancellor said department-level seminars would be held in colleges of the university to fine tune the researches on emerging issues. To commemorate three decades of the establishment of the university, an exhibition of technology developed at the university during this period was also organised. A separate exhibition of research publications and books authored by university faculty had also been organised at university library. The function was
attended by a number of farmers, teachers, scientists and
students. Two hundred teak saplings were also planted at
the research farm of the university on the occasion.
Students of the university also staged a cultural
programme to mark the occasion. |
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Telephone
muddle in Sirsa SIRSA: With poor maintenance, piles of garbage and unkempt lawns give a poor appearance to the local bus stand, admired once for its neatness. The inconvenience to the travelling public stays unattended. The foundation stone for the new bus stand was laid in 1982 by the then Chief Minister, Mr Bhajan Lal. After five years, the bus stand in the new majestic building was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister, Mr Devi Lal. It was equipped with 12 booths, eight shops, an enquiry office, a police post, a waiting room, cloakroom, etc. The majesty began to wear off with time as the authorities grew apathetic to its maintenance. Sirsa being on the border of Punjab and Rajasthan, the bus stand receives a large number of passengers from these states. The public convenience facilities available being rather poor, passengers relieve themselves near the outer wall, rendering area to stink. Reheriwalas, threewheeler and rikshaw pullers encroach upon the road, creating a traffic hazard. Buses stop outside the bus stand for passengers with no action being taken against them. The lighting is poor in and outside the bus stand, adding fuel to the fire for the passengers travelling at night time. Educational institutes without teachers is a mockery of the education system. One such example could be seen in Sirsa as well. The only Government Senior Secondary School in Ellenabad subdivision of the district has students enrolled for all three faculties of arts, commerce and science, but there are teachers only for two subjects to take classes of the plus two level. The board exams are round the corner i.e. next month, and it seems that students will take the exams under unimproved conditions. There are teachers available only for English and geography. The Chief Minister had during his visit to the area, assured action in this connection but the assurances never came to be implemented. * * * * The installation of the statue of Goddess Durga in the local cremation ground, Shiv Puri has sparked a dispute between the Shiv Puri Management and some local religious organisations. The installation of the Goddess in such a palace is against holy scriptures and religion. Pandit Sita Ram is on fast in protest against it and is getting wide support. The president of Dharam Singh, Mahavir Parsad Ganeriwala has appealed to the Shiv Puri management to take the initiative to end the dispute. The poor working of the telephone system has caused resentment among the phone users. Though the telecommunication department claims to have released more new connections, instruments lie dead in most of the houses. According to sources, hundreds of phone connections have been 'dead' for several days and complaints have not been attended. Traders say that they have to suffer financial loss because of phones lying 'dead'. On the other hand consumers trying to temper with the cables to activate the dead instruments cause damage to the same. The department attributes to the fault to humidity and fog and the unattended sewerage seeping into their 'ducks' and harming phone cables. Whatever may be the reason, the residents are a troubled lot. * * * * The supply of drinking water leaves much to be desired. There have been complaints from the colonies on the fringes of the Sirsa town in this regard. In Kirti Nagar, the problem has remained for over a week. Residents have warned the administration of unpleasant consequences if the problem of water supply remains unattended any longer. Resentment prevails among traders over the administration regards stagnant sewer water in the local mandi area. In spite of complaints of sewerage getting clogged to Public Health officers, there has been no solution. The recent drizzle has left the roads marshy. Residents of the mandi area complain that the hellish condition has lingered for over a month, unattended by the departments concerned.
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Dissension plagues major parties ROHTAK, Feb 3 — A former vice-president of the state unit of the BJP and member, state executive, Mr P.K. Chaudhary, has criticised the party for entering into an alliance with the INLD for contesting the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha elections. He told The Tribune here today that the party would have to pay a heavy price for forging this "unholy" alliance. He said the INLD had not allocated any such seat to the BJP from where it could field a Jat candidate. However, dissensions within the Congress, INLD and BJP — the three major political parties in the state — surfaced today, the last day for filing nomination papers. Former ministers, Mr Subhash Batra and Mr Krishna Murti Hooda, who were denied tickets, filed nominations from the Rohtak and Kiloi Assembly constituencies, respectively. Mr Subhash Batra filed two sets of nomination papers — one as a Congress candidate and another as an Independent. A senior BJP leader, Mr P.K. Chaudhary was present when Mr Batra filed his nomination papers and extended support to the Congress rebel. Mr Ram Mehar, co-convener of the HPCC SC/ST cell also filed nomination papers as an Independent candidate from the Kalanaur (SC) constituency. Earlier, he resigned from the primary membership of the Congress and alleged that the party had adopted a policy of divide and rule towards the Dalits. Mr Ram Mehar also
alleged that the decisions of the Danshmarhi and Antony
committees had been ignored while giving tickets to
aspirants. The SC/BC workers have not been given due
respect in the party and problems of small farmers have
not been given due attention, he said in his resignation
letter. |
Over 300 file papers in Haryana CHANDIGARH, Feb 3 — Various parties sprung surprises on the last date of the filing of nomination papers for the coming Haryana Assembly elections today, when flood gates were virtually opened. Till the filing of report the state election office here had not been able to compile complete list of those who filed their papers today. According to a rough estimate, over 300 persons filed their nomination papers today either as nominees of various parties or as Independent candidates. Till yesterday 566 candidates had filed their papers. The HVP today fielded both its President, Mr Bansi Lal, and the Secretary-General, Mr Surender Singh, a son of the former Chief Minister. Earlier the HVP had given the impression that only Mr Bansi Lal would contest the Assembly elections. While Mr Bansi Lal filed his papers from Bhiwani, Mr Surender Singh will contest the Tosham seat. The Leader of the BJP legislature group in the dissolved House, Mr Ram Bilas Sharma, who had so far been insisting that he would contest from his traditional seat of Mahendragarh only, filed his papers from Ballabhgarh in Faridabad district also, generating a protest by supporters of the sitting BJP MLA, Mr Anand Sharma. Mr Sharma's car was damaged. The BJP also fielded Prof Ganeshi Lal, who was denied renomination from Sirsa, from Adampur to face Mr Bhajan Lal. A senior RSS leader told TNS that the professor would be playing the same role as was played by Mrs Sushma Swaraj in Bellary. Prof Ganeshi Lal is a powerful orator. The party also adopted an INLD Balmiki leader, Mrs Santosh Sarwan Chauhan, to filed her from Bhawani Khera to face Mr Jagan Nath of the Congress. Mrs Chauhan has considerable influence among the Balmikis of the state. Though she was denied the ticket by the INLD, realising her potential to damage the prospects of the ruling alliance among her community, the INLD leadership was able to persuade its alliance partner to adopt her. The BJP also nominated Mr Rameshwar Dass Gupta (Jind), Rao Shiv Rattan (Rewari) and Mr Rishi Prakash Sharma (Bhiwani). The INLD fielded Mr Dharampal Makroliwala from Kiloi in place of its sitting MLA, Mr Shri Krishan Hooda. The Haryana Congress President, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, will also contest from Kiloi. Prominent Congress leaders who filed their papers included Mr A.C. Choudhary (Faridabad), Mr Jai Prakash (Barwala), Mr Ranjit Singh (Rori) from where he would oppose his brother, Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, and Mr Lachhman Dass Arora (Sirsa). Among the INLD candidates who filed their nominations were Mr Jasbir Singh Malour (Naggal) and Mr Risal Singh (Mullana). Rebels of almost all the parties also filed their papers from various constituencies. The BJP in Ambala city suffered a setback when a former party MLA and respected leader, Master Shiv Prasad, filed his papers as an Independent candidate. Yesterday another BJP rebel, Mr Nirmal Kumar Vij, had filed his nomination. Mrs Veena Chhibber is the official party nominee.
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Meira’s threat pays dividends CHANDIGARH, Feb 3 — The threat of Mrs Meira Kumar, daughter of veteran Harijan Congress leader Jagjivan Ram, to resign from the Indian National Congress has worked. According to informed sources, the Congress leadership gave in and obliged her by nominating two of her men for the Haryana Assembly elections by replacing the candidates whose names had already been announced. In a late-night development yesterday, the Congress gave the ticket to Mr Bal Krishan Goel from Jagadhari in place of the General Secretary of the Haryana Congress, Dr Ram Prakash. Similarly, Mr Udey Bhan Punia was told this morning not to file his papers from Hassanpur (SC) as the ticket was given to Mr Ram Rattan. In the process to placate Mrs Meira Kumar, the Congress leadership violated the Pachmarhi resolution which stated, among other things, that no person whose security was forfeited in the last election would be nominated as the party candidate. The sources say Mr Goel contested from Jagadhari as the Congress candidate in 1991 and as an Independent in 1996. His security was forfeited on both occasions. Similarly, Mr Ram Rattan, who contested the Hassanpur seat in 1996 as the Congress nominee, also lost his security deposit. To be fair to Mrs Meira Kumar, she is not the only Central leader to intercede on behalf of her men in the state with which they are not evenly remotely connected. Proteges of several Central leaders have made it to the Congress list, in certain cases even at the cost of more meritorious candidates. The sources say a former Union Minister, Mr Kamal Nath, was able to tilt the balance in favour of Mr J.P. Nagar from Mewla Maharajpur in Faridabad district. Another influential Central leader, Mr Madhavrao Scindia reportedly helped Dr K.R. Punia, a former bureaucrat, in getting the ticket from Pataudi (SC). Mr Scindia is also believed to have pleaded the cause of Mr Ranjit Singh, younger son of the former Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Devi Lal, from Rori; and Mr Ranbir Singh Mahendra, a son of the former Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, from Mundhal Khurd in Bhiwani district. Another former Union Minister, Mr Natwar Singh, reportedly helped Mr Randeep Singh Maan in getting the ticket from Indri in Karnal district, forcing the President of the Haryana Mahila Congress, Mrs Prassini Devi, to shift to Neoltha in Panipat district. Mr Mann's father, the late Mr Surjit Singh Maan, and his grandmother, the late Mrs Janaki Maan, popularly known as "Chachi", had been representing the Indri constituency in the Haryana Assembly. A former Haryana Minister, Mr A.C. Choudhary, who was denied the ticket from Faridabad in the wake of strong protest by the District Congress Committee, was reportedly able to retilt the balance in his favour with the help of a Central leader who lost the last Lok Sabha elections from a Delhi constituency. Another Central leader, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, reportedly helped a former Haryana Congress President, Mr Balbir Pal Shah, in getting the party ticket from Panipat. The Congress has nominated Mr Yogesh Gaur, a son-in-law of Mr Chiranji Lal Sharma, a former MP, from Palwal in Faridabd district, Mr Sharma's son, Ashok, is contesting from Sonepat. The party today nominated a former Haryana Minister, Mr Lal Singh, from Naraingarh. He is the father-in-law of the Secretary-General of the INLD, Mr Pradeep Chaudhary, who could not contest the Kalka seat as it went to the BJP. The Congress today also changed its Safidon candidate. In place of Mr Kamal Sharma, former Additional Advocate-General of Haryana, the party has now nominated Mr Bachan Singh Arya. Both Mr Lal Singh and Mr Arya are considered to be close to former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal.
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Pratap asks CM to head
father’s wishes GURGAON, Feb 3 — Mr Pratap Singh,one of the sons of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal,today urged upon Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala to avoid confrontation with Mr Ranjit Singh in the Rori Assembly constituency. Incidentally, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, Mr Ranji Singh, who is contesting as a Congress nominee from Rori and Mr Pratap Singh are brothers. Referring to a statement by Mr Devi Lal in which he was reported to have said that in spite of having different political ideologies, family members should avoid showdown with one another, Mr Pratap Singh said Mr Chautala should heed to the sentiments of Mr Devi Lal by withdrawing from the Rori seat. In case he was not able to solve the problem, he could seek the help of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who is close to both of them, he added. Instead of contesting from Rori, Mr Chautala should contest from Adampur against former Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhajan Lal. By contesting from Adampur, Mr Chautala would be serving several purposes with one single move. By defeating Mr Bhajan Lal, Mr Chautala could avenge the defeat of Mr Devi Lal at the former’s hand in Adampur in 1972. Also, he would dispel the general impression that he and Mr Bhajan Lal had tacit understanding to help each other. Mr Pratap Singh,who was here,wondered why the Adampur seat, which is a rural seat, and the Panchkula seats were given to the BJP by Mr Chautala. There was enough testimony of a nexus between Mr Chautala, Mr Bhajan Lal and Prof Ram Bilas Sharma of the BJP, he said. He said that he would support only those candidates who have a clean record and who were against casteism.
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Rajesh Sharma quits party post YAMUNANAGAR, Feb 3 (PTI) — Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) Vice-President Rajesh Sharma today resigned from his post to protest denial of the party ticket from Yamunanagar. Son of first Haryana
Chief Minister Bhagwat Dayal Sharma, Mr Rajesh Sharma has
sent his resignation to AICC President Sonia Gandhi. |
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